Associate Dean, Communication Design

Full job description
Overview:
Play a pivotal role in providing senior leadership for the Discipline’s academic and research performance, strategy, and growth
3-year Fixed term contract for Associate Dean, Communication Design with underlying continuing role as Associate Professor or Professor, based at the City campus
Salary Academic Level D ($170,080 - $187,373)/Level E ($219,084) + 17% Superannuation
About the Role
The Associate Dean, Communication Design is accountable for providing strategic and academic leadership and management, consistent with RMIT’s strategic plans and objectives, to the discipline and for contributing at a senior level to the strategic planning and development of the School.
The Associate Dean, Communication Design has a key role within the School providing academic leadership and strategic direction for a suite of programs that comprise a distinct academic discipline. They have both research and academic program leadership roles for that discipline. Associate Dean, Communication Design works closely with the Associate Dean, Leaning & Teaching and with the relevant discipline-related Program Managers to manage the development and renewal of the curriculum for courses in the area concerned. The position is responsible for assuring program and course quality and relevance within the University policies and external compliance requirements.
To be successful for this position, you’ll have:
Strong leadership skills and experience in initiating, leading and managing academic teams and projects in a collegiate environment to deliver strategic objectives.
Demonstrated understanding of University systems regarding budget management, quality maintenance and good governance.
Demonstrated capacity to think strategically and to act tactically based on organisational priorities and objectives.
Demonstrated high level of interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills including the ability to consult with senior executives, external bodies, produce executive reports, negotiate agreed directions, outcomes and targets within a collaborative environment.
Please view position description for further selection criteria
Qualifications
Mandatory: PhD or demonstrated equivalence, combined with knowledge and achievements that meet the professorial criteria.
Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.
About the School
The School of Design is a School comprised of the disciplines of Industrial Design, Digital Design (including Animation, Digital Media and Games) and Communication Design.
The School builds on RMIT’s leading national and international reputation in design education by creating a specific focus on emerging areas such service design, design strategy, virtual and augmented reality and AI.
It comprises approximately 120 academic and 11 professional staff and over 3000 EFT undergraduate and postgraduate students with expectations of growth.
For more information visit
www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/design
To Apply
Please submit your CV and covering letter and separate document addressing the Key Selection Criteria for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.
For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Jessica Bernardo (Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor) via email
jessica.bernardo@rmit.edu.au
.
Position Description – Associate Dean, Communication Design
Position Description – Professor, Communications Design
Position Description – Associate Professor, Communications Design
Applications Close:
15 Mar 2026 11.59 pm
RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, ****** orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the
National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence
. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.

At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via
talentsupport@rmit.edu.au
or visit our Careers page for more contact information -
https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.

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